Draw Poker
Rules

Draw
Poker is the most common and basic for of poker. The basic form of poker
is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. There are other versions in
which more than one deck is used others where a reduced deck with being
'stripped' that before mentioning versions with in which one or more jokers
are used.

Poker
is not played against the Casino (known as the House)
rather it is played against the other players. There
can be upto 8 players in a standard game. Firstly, each
player contributes an amount known as an 'ante', to
the 'pot' in the centre of the table. In some games
the ante is provided by the dealer or by the first 2
players; there are house rules in every casino so watch
for variations.

Five
cards are then dealt face-down to each player. Following
that there are basically 3 stages:-

1.
A round of betting.The player to the left of the dealer decides
whether to bet known as 'to open' or not to bet known
as 'to check'. The rules of the particular game and
the players hand will dictate whether or not the player
bets and if so how much. It is common to set a minimum
hand that a player must have to open the betting, say
a pair of jacks or better. Once the play has been 'opened'
subsequent (in the same clockwise direction) either
call by paying an equal amount into the pot or raise
by paying that amount plus plus an additional sum. Its
worth noting that an additional amount paid to raise
is dictated by the house rules of the game you are playing
in. This goes on until each player still in the game
have placed the same amount of money into the pot.

2.
The drawing of cards.
This is where players can change up to 3 cards (some
games allow up to 4 cards to be changed so again watch
for house variations). These new cards will again be
delt face-down. This phase begins after all raises have
been called and no further raises have been made.

3.
A final betting stage.
This continues until each player still left in has placed
the same amount in the pot or until all but one player
has folded their cards. This is were all players left
decide whether or not they think they have the best
hand. It is worth noting that the best hand will not
always win the pot an opportunity to bluff and a little
strategic play can help alot here.

A
good player needs to have a sound knowledge of the odds
and a correct strategy, thus knowing when to fold, call
or raise. To view our page with tips to help you win
Poker
Tips

We
also suggest you read as much about the games tatics and
stratgies as you can but remember there is no substitute
for practise. You can play for free thus practise for
free at any of the casinos reviewed on this site.